Water inlet and outlet condition signal



\ J. J. M CARTHY WATER INLET AND OUTLET CONDITION SIGNAL Oct. 27, 1936.

Filed Dec. 6, l934 Z0 INVENTOR l /flij/if all'f 27 v BY M ATTORNEYS 0;. WITNESSES La 7 ZZ Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES WATER INLET AND OUTLET CONDITION SIGNAL John J. McCarthy, Belle Harbor, Long Island, N. Y.

Application December 6, 1934, Serial No. 756,327

1 Claim.

This invention relates to devices for the improvement in the efficiency of fire fighting apparatus.

It is recognized that action, or the lack of it, during the first five minutes following the outbreak of a fire often determines the ultimate result of the fire and the consequent loss in property and life. It is highly important, therefore, that all causes for delay in fighting a fire be removed as much as possible.

One of the major causes for delay and consequent loss in fighting fires has been defective or frozen hydrants. In order to overcome this delay and loss it is customary to regularly inspect hydrants, standpipe sprinkler systems and other fire appliances in order to be certain that they are in good working order. During the course of a severe winter many hydrants freeze and it is necessary to have all hydrants inspected almost hourly. The numbers of the incapacitated hydrants are usually posted in the firehouses and the drivers are supposed to remember them. However, in the course of a severe winter there are too many hydrants which are frozen or otherwise out of order for the drivers to remember and the result has been that quite often fire companies arriving at the scene of a fire unload their hose alongside of a defective hydrant and then find that they have to move on to another which is in proper working order. This naturally causes considerable delay and allows the fire to gain dangerous headway.

One of the objects of the present invention is to reduce the fire loss due to frozen and defective hydrants and to compel a more conscientious inspection of hydrants, thus increasing the eificiency of fire fighting units.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for designating defective and frozen hydrants which is simple in construction and which will be apparent to the drivers of fire trucks upon entering the street. It is both desirable and necessary that such means be of a nature that it cannot be disturbed by children playing in the neighborhood or unconsciously removed by pedestrian or other trafiic.

A further object is to provide a means for designating defective or frozen hydrants in order that repair crews may readily recognize such hydrants and put them in proper working order.

The object in placing a signal on Siamese connections or fire extinguishing systems in buildings and similar structures is to indicate to fire companies responding to. fires. in such buildings or structures that the said fire extinguishing systems are out of order and thus avoid the unnecessary delay which would be occasioned should the fire companies endeavor to use the defective systems.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangement of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 shows a hydrant with the cap removed and the invention in place thereon,

Figure 2 is a view of the same hydrant with the cap replaced,

Figure 3 shows the use of the invention when applied to Siamese connections of standpipe sprinkler systems or other forms of fire appliances,

Figure 4 shows the preferred form of disc, and

Figures 5 and 6 show modifications thereof.

Referring to the drawing, and more especially to the specific embodiment illustrated therein, Figure 1 shows an ordinary fire hydrant l having an outlet II. The inspecting fireman finding this hydrant frozen or otherwise unserviceable, will remove the cap l2 and place the disc l3 over the outlet threads. The cap I2 is then replaced and tightened, as shown in Figure 2. Should a fire break out in the neighborhood before this hydrant has been put back into working condition, the driver of the fire truck will see the disc and continue on to another hydrant which may be serviceable.

In Figure 4 the disc I3 is shown in detail and comprises a disc of metal painted white with an aperture l l adapted to engage the outlet nozzle ll. While a disc is shown in the drawing, it will be understood that any other form may be used.

Figure shows a modified form of the invention comprising the disc l5 having a reflecting surface It. It may also be provided with a dark or brightly colored stripe l'l so that it may be seen in the daytime and the reflecting surface will reflect the headlights of the fire trucks at night.

Figure 3 shows applicants invention applied to a Siamese sprinker system. This is a connection having two inlets l8 and I9 leading to the standpipe or sprinkler system within the building.

Figure 6 shows still another modification of the invention, with the disc 20 having a reflecting surface of diamond glass or other reflecting material 2| and an aperture 22. This modification is also provided with a rim 23 surrounding the aperture 2| in order that the cap l2 of the hydrant may be tightened without breaking the frangible reflecting surface.

It will be apparent from the drawing and description that when a hydrant is frozen or otherwise out of order, it will be located by the inspecting fireman and the disc will be placed on the nozzle of the connection in the manner described, notifying all trucks proceeding to fires that the hydrant is unserviceable, the disc indicating to the repair crew making its rounds that the hydrant is in need of care. When the repair crew has repaired the hydrant, it removes the disc and returns it to the particular engine company to whom it belongs.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that suitable lettering or other indication of ownership will be placed on the disc in order that it may be returned to the proper company.

In addition to increasing the efliciency of fire fighting, the invention compels conscientious inspection and relieves the present day practice of burdening the telephone service by reporting to various companies unserviceable hydrants, simplifies the work of headquarters, and makes it possible for both fire fighting apparatus and repair crews to recognize defective hydrants, standpipes, sprinkler systems, etc., during the day or night.

What I claim is:

The combination with a water connection having a connection closure, of a signal comprising a collar of a color contrasting with the color of the water connection, said collar having an opening to receive the water connection and being of a size appreciably larger than the connection closure.

JOHN J. MCCARTHY. 

